UH football: Wide receiver Ayers making early impression

Demarcus Ayers will handle kickoffs and play wide receiver in Friday’s season opener. (UH athletics)

One true freshman that caught the attention of the coaching staff in preseason camp is Demarcus Ayers.

Ayers can expect to see significant playing time in Friday’s season opener against Southern. The Lancaster product will handle kickoffs, along with sophomore Justin Hicks, and is listed as the backup behind Daniel Spencer at the inside ‘H’ receiver spot.

“(Ayers) is a guy who has worked his way into the rotation and will be playing early and often,” coach Tony Levine said.

As a senior, Ayers rushed for 1,337 yards and 16 touchdowns and threw for 1,823 yards and 22 touchdowns to help lead Lancaster to the Class 4A Division II state title game.

• • •

Bryce Redman won’t have to worry about extra wardrobe this season.

With the implementation of a tight end into the Houston offense, Redman is no longer on stand-by to play tight end in short-yardage situations this season.

Redman said a team manager routinely had to follow him around at all times last year. If needed, Redman would quickly switch jersey numbers, not an easy task for a 6-1, 285-pound frame.

“To not have to worry about the whole jersey situation and just concentrate on one position is a good thing,” Redman said.

The Cougars plan to use true freshman Chauntez Jackson at tight end this season.

• • •

The timing was right the second time.

In his first season as head coach Tony Levine attempted to hire Doug Meacham, who was the passing game coordinator and inside receivers coach at Oklahoma State. Meacham turned him down.

When Levine was looking for an offensive coordinator again this offseason – he fired Mike Nesbitt after Week 1 last season – Meacham accepted the offer.

Levine said it will be valuable to have a coordinator who can run the same kind of spread offense that has been successful at UH.

Levine said Meacham will go with an up-tempo, no-huddle spread offense that involves different personnel packages.
It will include some “outside-the-box thinking and twists” that involves some of Meacham’s own style, Levine said.

• Larry McDuffey will handle punts in the opener, with William Jackson as the backup, Levine said.